Friday, August 11 - Detective speaks to Somerset Live from crime scene

The Detective Inspector told us the man in the e-fit appeal was either a very significant witness or the man responsible for the attack.

Tiny clues could help police crack the case, she added.

Police were at the reservoir in large numbers, asking the public for information and seeking to reassure them one week after the scary incident.

We also learnt:

At that time around 10 calls from the public had come in about the e-fit and police were following these up.

As well as the e-fit of the suspect or significant witness, there were several other lines of inquiry.

There were 10 officers working on the case .

It wasn't known if a weapon was used but forensics searched for one and there is still evidence being looked at.

The man police wanted to speak to could be local, or he could be a tourist.

DI Burtonwood also told us the victim, who it emerged was a local mum, was "doing well".

Both the police and the mayor told people to be vigilant but urged them not to be afraid and to continue using the reservoir.

Police also reissued their appeal to the public for information, based on the e-fit.

Tuesday, August 22 - Attacker still not found

More than two weeks after the attack, police were still looking for the person responsible.

A spokesman for the force confirmed the status of the investigation into a serious assault at around 4pm at Chard reservoir on Friday, August 4, remained unchanged and officers would still welcome information from the public.

Friday, September 1 - New images released in manhunt

New images were released by police as they continued to investigate the brutal attack at a Somerset beauty spot, four weeks after it happened.

The appeal said: "We believe the two people pictured here may have information that could help with our investigation.

"Are you one of the two people pictured? Do you recognise these people?

"We are also keen to talk to 18-20 year old man with blonde hair, wearing a cream hoody and carrying a rucksack in the area on the day.

"There was also a white man, in a black hoody and black trousers, riding a dark coloured mountain bike in the area at the time.

"We believe he was also seen locally the day before (Thursday August 3). He had a carrier bag over the handlebars of his bike in his right hand."

One of the investigating officers, DS Lee Jones, said: “This was a nasty unprovoked assault for which the motive is still unclear.

"We would like anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward and identify themselves as they may have key information that could help in our investigation.

"Forensic work is ongoing and thanks to help from the public we have over 120 lines of enquiry.

"But we feel that key piece of information is still out there. We hope identifying some of the people in the area on the day and talking to them will help us."

Friday, October 13 - Police say appeal still active

Somerset Live checked with the police each week after the new CCTV images were released to see if there were any updates on the case.

On Friday (October 13) police confirmed the case was still active and any updates would be issued to the public.

Anyone with information should call 101 and ask to speak to DS Lee Jones in Yeovil Investigations quoting reference number 5217178432.

Friday, November 24

Somerset Live asked the police for an update on the state of the case. A response is yet to be issued.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Somerset Live has still not had a series of questions put to the police answered. We understand no arrests have been made, the investigation remains active and the attacker is still at large

At the time locals described the incident as "totally sick", while local councillors were both frightened and angry.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary have issued several appeals in attempts to track the attacker down.

After the assault, officers went to the reservoir to reassure locals and ask walkers for help, something they did again a week later.

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